NEW ROCHELLE, NY (October 23, 2024) — Members of the public are invited to meet the three finalists for the position of New Rochelle City Manager at a Community Meet and Greet opportunity hosted by the Mayor and City Council on Monday, October 28 from 6-8PM at New Rochelle City Hall, 515 North Avenue. During this event, the three City Manager finalist candidates will introduce themselves and will answer a series of pre-determined questions. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback via electronic means for further perspective to the City Council.
The City Council has been leading the executive recruitment for several months to reach this stage, now on the verge of selecting the City’s next administrative leader. The finalists were selected recently following a nationwide search that initially produced a field of nearly 40 candidates from a dozen states for the highly competitive and desirable professional opportunity to lead a City organization of excellence and opportunity forward. The City Council has reviewed materials and interviewed semi-finalists to reach this stage. The search process has been coordinated in support of the Mayor and City Council by Clay Pearson, Sr. Vice President with Strategic Government Resources, a full-service local government consulting firm.
FINALISTS:
Michael Ciaravino:
Serving as self-employed attorney, special counsel and consultant to various public entities. Prior to that he served as City Manager in Mill Creek, Washington and Newburgh, New York. He practices law and has a J.D. from Case Western University, and a B.A. from John Carroll University.
Mill Creek city manager abruptly resigns, ending turbulent tenure
City Manager Michael Ciaravino has stepped down, citing personal reasons, after less than three years overseeing Mill Creek’s day-to-day operations. Following a more than two-hour closed door session, the City Council approved a “settlement agreement and general release” with Ciaravino, who has faced criticism for controversial staffing decisions and other choices on the job.
Jason Freeman:
Serving as the Business Administrator for the City of Hoboken, NJ for nearly five years. Prior to that he worked for several non-profits including the Anti-Defamation League. He studied Political Science at the Pennsylvania State University and achieved a Certificate in Organizational Leadership from the Harvard University Business School.
Hoboken City Council approves Freeman as business administrator
Jason Freeman is officially Hoboken’s new business administrator after a 5-3-1 City Council vote Wednesday night. Freeman has been serving as the acting business administrator since his predecessor Stephen Marks left the city role in February. Freeman has since overseen the creation of the city’s 2020 budget, which was redone in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
Will Melendez:
Serving as Commissioner of Public Works for the City of New Rochelle and Acting City Manager. Prior to that he worked for the City of New York Department of Environmental Protection as Deputy Director in the Bureau of Water Supply – Water Treatment Operations South. He is a New York Professional Engineer and has a Bachelor’s from Manhattan College.
City Manager Kathleen Gill Appoints Wilfredo Melendez as New Public Works Commissioner
Wilfredo Melendez, P.E. has been named as the new Commissioner of Public Works, effective February 6, 2023, by City Manager Kathleen Gill.
Monday’s meeting will be carried live on NRTV channels Optimum 75 and Verizon 28, and on the City website.
Reporting directly to the City Council, by City Charter, New Rochelle’s City Manager serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the City and assumes full responsibility for all activities and operations of the City Government based on policies and priorities established by the City Charter, Mayor and City Council.